Miami-based uniform innovator gains preferred-supplier access to Avendra’s global network of 80,000+ hospitality locations across North America and Europe

MIAMI, FL — ICO Uniforms, a leading provider of enterprise uniform programs for the corporatehospitality, hotel, and cruise industries, today announced it has been designated a preferred supplier in North America by Avendra International — the world’s largest Group Purchasing Organization (GPO) serving the hospitality industry. The designation, valid through February 2029, positions ICO Uniforms as the go-to uniform partner for Avendra’s global ecosystem of hotels, resorts, cruise operators, clubs, and hospitality enterprises.

About the Partnership: Access to the World’s Most Powerful Hospitality Network

Founded in 2001 and acquired by Aramark for $1.35 billion in 2017, Avendra International has since expanded into a truly global force in hospitality procurement. Today, the organization commands $20 billion in global procurement power, maintains over 2,600 supplier partner agreements worldwide, and serves more than 80,000 client locations across North America, Europe, and beyond — including more than half of the top 30 hotel chains in the world.

Avendra’s platform spans every corner of the hospitality sector: luxury and full-service hotels, resorts, private clubs, restaurants, event venues, cruise lines, educational institutions, and healthcare facilities. Its supplier network is purpose-built to deliver exceptional value, quality assurance, and procurement efficiency at scale — making a preferred-supplier designation one of the most coveted distinctions a hospitality vendor can earn.

ICO Uniforms: Enterprise-Grade Uniform Programs for the World’s Best-Dressed Brands

Founded in Miami in 2002, ICO Uniforms has spent more than two decades building enterprise uniform programs for the hospitality industry’s most recognizable names. Its client roster includes Marriott, Kimpton Hotels & Restaurants, Carnival Cruise Line, Royal Caribbean, and Simon Properties — brands for whom brand identity, staff presentation, and operational continuity are non-negotiable.

ICO differentiates itself through what it calls a program architecture approach — one that goes far beyond garment supply. From creative direction and design through global sourcing, fit and finish, warehousing, managed inventory, and professional on-site installation, ICO delivers end-to-end uniform programs engineered for enterprise complexity. The company’s in-house technical team includes designers, pattern makers, and sample makers, enabling custom solutions that are fashion-forward without sacrificing operational reliability.

ICO’s 2022 acquisition of Red the Uniform Tailor (RTUT) further deepened its domestic production capabilities, enabling sub-30-day production cycles for premium, design-forward collections — a significant competitive advantage for properties with accelerated timelines or unique brand requirements.

"We are very excited to promote ICO to our customers.” — Patrick Mayhew, Vice President, GSC & GPO US Sourcing, Avendra International

 

What the Avendra Partnership Means for Hospitality Operators

For hospitality operators who are existing Avendra members, this partnership provides a direct and streamlined path to ICO’s full suite of uniform program services — with the confidence of Avendra’s rigorous vetting and preferred-supplier endorsement. That means faster procurement cycles, pre-negotiated program structures, and a supplier relationship backed by one of the most trusted names in hospitality procurement.

For operators outside the Avendra network, ICO’s preferred-supplier status signals a level of operational credibility, quality assurance, and enterprise readiness that few uniform providers in North America can claim. Avendra’s selection process evaluates suppliers on value, product quality, service excellence, and long-term partnership potential — the same pillars ICO has built its reputation on for over 20 years.

As Avendra International continues to expand its European footprint — integrating Pelican Procurement Services, Expert Cost Control, Trinity Purchasing, and First Choice Purchasing — ICO Uniforms is positioned to extend its reach alongside this global platform, serving hospitality operators across multiple continents under a unified preferred-supplier relationship.

About ICO Uniforms

ICO Uniforms (icouniforms.com) is a Miami-based enterprise uniform company founded in 2002. For more than two decades, ICO has designed and managed end-to-end uniform programs for leading hospitality, cruise, real estate, and corporate brands across North America and beyond. ICO’s capabilities span creative direction, global sourcing, domestic production, managed inventory, and professional installation — all delivered through a structured program methodology built for enterprise scale. ICO is an Avendra International preferred supplier for uniforms and apparel in North America, valid through February 2029.

About Avendra International

Avendra International is the world’s largest hospitality Group Purchasing Organization (GPO), serving over 80,000 client locations globally with $20 billion in procurement power and more than 2,600 supplier partner agreements. An Aramark company, Avendra provides procurement and purchasing expertise across hotels, resorts, cruise lines, clubs, restaurants, education, and healthcare sectors.